1968 USA Olympic Team
Strength and Power Hall of Fame
2024
1968 Olympic Team
The 1968 Olympic Games were held in Mexico City Mexico from 10/12-27/1968. Weightlifting consisted of 7 weight classes 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, +90kg. The competition for all weight classes was held on 10/17-21/1968 at the Teatro de los Insurgentes. The United Team Coach was John Terpak and the Team Trainer was Major George Ottot USMC.
The Athletes
Robert “Bob” Bartholomew
2/9/1936-6/30/2021
Bob started lifting in 1959 focusing on bodybuilding. Bob was a State and regional bodybuilding champion when he discovered weightlifting. By 1963 Bob was advanced enough to qualify for and lift in the Senior Nationals. Bob was a YMCA National Champion, Junior and Senior National Champion and a member of the 1968 Olympic team. During his lifting years Bob was working full time as a welder and had to have had tremendous energy, desire and athletic ability to compete at the international level. Bob retired after the 1968 Olympic Games.
7th 198lb class 1963 Senior Nationals
4th 198lb class 1964 Senior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1965 YMCA Nationals
1st 198lb class 1965 Junior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1965 Senior Nationals
1st 198lb class 1966 Senior Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
4th 198lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
9th 198lb class 1968 Olympic Games
Joseph “Joe” Dube
Joe began lifting in the late 1950’s. Joe trained with his brother Virgil early in his career and was self-coached throughout most of his career. Joe competed for many years and was a State Champion several times and set many State records. Joe’s athletic ability and dedication enabled him to become one of the most powerful super heavies of all time.
2nd 198lb class 1961 Teenage Nationals
2nd Heavyweight 1967 Senior Nationals
1st Heavyweight 1967 Pan American Games
2nd Heavyweight 1967 Pre Olympics ** (Tied for first)
2nd Heavyweight 1968 Senior Nationals
1st Heavyweight 1968 Olympic Trials
3rd Heavyweight 1968 Olympic Games (Tied for 2nd)
2nd Superheavyweight 1969 Senior Nationals
1st Superheavyweight 1969 World Championships@
2nd Superheavyweight 1970 Senior Nationals
4th Superheavyweight 1970 World Championships
2nd Superheavyweight 1971 Senior Nationals
7th 1979 World’s Strongest Man
1st Superheavyweight 1980 America’s Cup
3rd Superheavyweight 1981 Senior Nationals
World Records
389.5lb Clean and Press Heavyweight 11/30/1963. Teenage world Record
400.5lb Clean and Press Heavyweight 2/9/1964. Teenage World Record
449.5lb Clean and Press Heavyweight 3/23/1968 Senior World Record
463lb Clean and Press Heavyweight 6/9/1968 Senior World Record
American Records
Joe set 12 American Records during his career. Joe was the first American to total 1,300lbs on the 3 Olympic lifts.
Hall of Fame
US Weightlifting Hall of Fame
At the 1972 Cincinnati Open Joe had an American record 382lb snatch locked out but the bar went behind him injuring his left elbow. Joe could not compete at the 1972 seniors or contend for the 1972 Olympic team due to the injury.
** “The Pre-Olympic games were held in Mexico City to test the facilities for next year’s Olympic Games. In reality these Pre-Olympic Games amounted to a World Championship’s in Weightlifting as the 1967 Championships were cancelled when Tokyo would not agree to let certain countries carry their flags in the opening ceremonies.” December 1967 Strength and Health Magazine.
** “The Little Olympics differed very little from the Olympic Games, except in the total number of contestants. Practically all the best lifters in the world were present in Mexico City.” January 1968 Strength and Health Magazine p.48. “Little Olympics” Action Report Part 1 by Bob Hoffman.
** Joe tied for first place losing first place on bodyweight.
@ Joe is the last American male lifter to win a (Senior) World Championship’s (1969) as of 1-2025.
Fred Lowe
Fred began lifting in 1965. Fred was an international class athlete as a young lifter and as a master lifter. Fred is a 3X Olympian, 3X World Championships team member a 8X Senior National Champion and a 9X World Masters Champion. Fred has coached lifters for years and continues to do so.
2nd 165lb class 1966 class Teenage Nationals
1st 165lb class 1967 Teenage Nationals
1st 165lb class 1967 Jr Nationals
1st 165lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
8th 165lb class 1968 Olympics
1st 165lb class 1968 YMCA Nationals
1st 165lb class 1969 Senior Nationals
165lb class 1969 World Championships
1st 165lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
165lb class 1970 World Championships
1st 165lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
9th 165lb class 1972 Olympics
1st 165lb class 1973 Senior Nationals
165lb class 1973 World Championships
1st 165lb class 1974 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1976 Senior Nationals
11th 165lb class 1976 Olympics
1st 165lb class 1981 Senior Nationals
USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame
1st US 165lb lifter to C&J 400lbs 1981
IWF Category 1 Technical Official
Set several National senior and masters records
Set several Masters World Records
Russell “Russ” Knipp
5/21/1942-4/9/2006
Russ started lifting in the late 1950’s. Russ was an international class middleweight who always performed his best lifts in major competitions. Russ was drafted in 1964 and served for 2 years. Russ is a 2X Olympian, 2X Pan American Champion, 3X Senior National Champion and established several Jr & Sr World Records and several National Records.
1st 132ln class 1962 Philadelphia Open
2nd 132lb class 1962 Senior Nationals
1st 148lb class 1963 Jr Nationals
2nd 165lb class 1963 Senior Nationals
2nd 148lb class 1965 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1966 North American Championships
2nd 165lb class 1966 Senior Nationals
4th 165lb class 1966 World Championships
3rd 165lb class 1967 Little Olympics
1st 165lb class 1967 Pan American Championships
1st 165lb class 1967 YMCA Nationals
1st 165lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
2nd 165lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
4th 165lb class 1968 Olympics
6th 181lb class 1969 World Championships
4th 181lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
4th 165lb class 1971 world Championships
1st 165lb class 1971 Pan American Championships
2nd 165lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
5th 165lb class 1972 Pre-Olympics
8th 165lb class 1972 Olympics
3rd 181lb class 1974 Senior Nationals
7th 181lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
Jr World Record Holder in the press 1962
4X Senior World Record Holder in the press 1967
34 American Records
1967 Weightlifter of the year, Strength and Health Magazine
Joseph “Joe” Puleo
Joe is from Detroit and started lifting when he was 15. Joe held all the Jr. World Records in the 165lb class in 1962 and set several national records during his long career. Joe won 5 Senior Nationals, 2 Pan American Games (1963 & 1967), made 3 world championships teams and 2 Olympic Teams (1968 & 1980). Joe was on several All American Teams and was a member of the Strength and Health Team of the Decade (1960’s).
1st 165lb class 1960 Michigan State YMCA Championships
1st 165b class 1960 Teenage Nationals
4th 165lb class 1960 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1961 Jr. Nationals
1st 165lb class 1961 Teenage Nationals
1st 165lb class 1962 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1962 World Championships Tryouts
1st 165lb class 1963 Philadelphia Open
1st 165lb class 1963 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1963 Pan American Games
1st 165lb class 1964 Senior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1964 Olympic Tryouts
1st 181lb class 1965 YMCA Nationals
2nd 181lb class 1965 Senior Nationals
1st 181lb class 1965 North American Championships
1st 181lb class 1966National Collegiates
1st 165lb class 1966 Senior Nationals
1st 181lb class 1966 North American Championships
1st 181lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
2nd 181lb class 1967 Little Olympics
1st 181lb class 1967 Pan American Games
1st 181lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
1st 181lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
181lb class 1968 Olympic Games
2nd 181lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
7th 181lb class 1970 World Championships
2nd 198lb class 1980 Senior Nationals
198lb class 1980 Olympic Team (USA Boycott)
Phillip “Phil” Grippaldi
Phil began training in the early 1960’s and was coached by Butch Toth and later Mike Huszka. Phil is a 3X Olympian, 3X Pan American Gold Medalist, 6X Senior National Champion and a World Championships Silver Medalist.
1st 198lb class 1965 Teenage Nationals
4th 198lb class 1965 Jr Nationals
1st 198lb class 1966 Teenage Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1966 Jr Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1966 Senior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1966 North American Championships
1st 198lb class 1967 Jr Nationals
1st 198lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
1st 198lb class 1967 Philadelphia Open
4th 198lb class 1967 Little Olympics
1st Heavyweight 1967 YMCA Nationals
1st 198lb class 1967 Pan American Games
1st 198lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
1st 198lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
7th 198lb class 1968 Olympic Games
5th 198lb class 1969 World Championships
2nd 198lb class 1969 Senior Nationals
1st 198lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1970 World Championships
1st 198lb class 1971 Philadelphia Open
2nd 198lb class 1971 Senior Nationals
5th 198lb class 1971 World Championships
1st 198lb class 1971 Pan American Games
2nd 198lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1972 Pre-Olympic Tournament
4th 198lb class 1972 Olympic Games
1st 198lb class 1973 Senior Nationals
9th 198lb class 1973 World Championships
1st 198lb class 1974 Senior Nationals
5th 198lb class 1974 World Championships
6th 198lb class 1974 Friendship Cup
1st 198lb class 1975 Philadelphia Open
198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
10th 198lb class 1975 World Championships
2nd 198lb class 1976 Senior Nationals
4th 198lb class 1976 Olympics
1970 & 1974 Strength and Health Weightlifter of the Year
USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame
Set 3 Teen-Age World Records in the Press
Only US 198lb lifter to officially Clean and Press 400lbs 4/1972
Set several teen-age and senior American Records
George “Ernie” Pickett
6/27/1936-7/1/2009
Ernie started lifting in the late 1950’s when he was 22 years old. Ernie who was about 6’5” was told he was too old to start lifting and that his arms were too long to ever be a good presser. In those days the press was one of the three Olympic lifts. However, Ernie became an Olympian (1968) and set 2 World Records in the Clean and Press in 1968, 445.5 and 457.25lbs. Ernie was a State and regional champion several times. Ernie also enjoyed powerlifting and would win several powerlifting titles as well. When Ernie retired from lifting he earned black belts in the Martial Arts.
1st Heavyweight 1962 South Atlantic Championships
1st Heavyweight 1965 Baltimore Open
1st Heavyweight 1966 Junior Nationals
5th Heavyweight 1966 Senior Nationals
1st Heavyweight 1967 Junior Nationals Powerlifting
1st Heavyweight 1967 South Atlantic Championships
1st Heavyweight 1967 Little Olympics Tryouts
3rd Heavyweight 1967 Little Olympics*
1st Heavyweight 1968 Philadelphia Open
1st Heavyweight 1968 YMCA Nationals
2nd Heavyweight 1968 Senior Nationals Powerlifting
2nd Heavyweight 1968 Olympic Trials
Heavyweight 1968 Olympic Games
*The 1967 Little Olympics in Mexico City were essentially the World Championships in 1967.
Alternates
Robert “Bob” Bednarski
4/5/1944-2/22/2004
Bob started lifting in the late 1950’s in Rhode Island and was coached by Joe Mills. Bob lifted for the Central Falls Weightlifting Club. In the mid 1960’s Bob began lifting for the York Barbell Club. Bob was probably the best lifter in the world in 1968 when he held 2 of the 4 world records in the heavyweight class. Bob should have been on the 1968 Olympic Team. He had clearly earned the right to compete at the Olympics that year. Fortunately, Bob was able to compete at the 1969 World Championships winning the 242lb class.
1st 198lb class 1964 Junior Nationals
1st 198lb class 1964 North American Championships
4th 198lb class 1965 Senior Nationals
2nd Heavyweight 1966 Senior Nationals
2nd Heavyweight 1966 World Championships
1st Heavyweight 1966 North American Championships
1st Heavyweight 1967 Senior Nationals
1st Heavyweight 1968 Senior Nationals
3rd Heavyweight 1968 Olympic Trials
1st 242lb class 1969 Senior Nationals
1st 242lb class 1969 World Championships
1st 242lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
3rd 242lb class 1970 World Championships
1st 242lb class 1973 Senior Nationals
Bob established 2 junior world records and 8 world records during his career.
Bob was the Strength and Health Magazine Weightlifter of the year in 1967.
Frank Capsouras
Frank started lifting in the early 1960’s and was a 2X Teenage National Champion. Frank went on to win several Senior National Championships and was on the 1972 Olympic Team. Frank was also on several World Championships Teams. Frank set a World Record in the C&J for the 198lb class with 439.5lbs on 4/12/1969.
6th 181lb class 1964 Jr Nationals
2nd 181lb class 1964 Olympic Tryouts
1st 181lb class 1964 North American Championships
1st 181lb class 1964 Teenage Nationals
1st 181lb class 1965 Teenage Nationals
1st 198lb class 1966 National Collegiates
1st 181lb class 1966 Teenage Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1966 North American Championships
1st 198lb class 1967 Philadelphia Open
4th 198lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
1st 198b class 1967 National Collegiates
1st 242lb class 1968 Junior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
1st 198lb class 1969 Senior Nationals
6th 198lb class 1969 world Championships
1st 242lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
10th 242lb class 1972 Olympic Games
2nd 242lb class 1973 Senior Nationals
198lb class 1973 World Championships
4th 198lb class 1974 Senior Nationals
2nd 198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1975 Pan American Games
7th 242lb class 1976 Senior Nationals
Peter “Pete”Rawluk
Pete started lifting at 15 in 1961. He eventually joined the McBurney YMCA and was able to train with the top lifters in the New York Metropolitan area. In 1963 he placed 2nd in the 132lb class at the National YMCA Championships. Pete established several teenage National Records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total. In 1965 Pete joined the Air Force and was selected for the Air Force Weightlifting Team. Pete went on to set several American Records and became a Senior National Champion.
1st 148lb class 1965 Teenage Nationals
3rd 165lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
2nd 165lb class 1967 Junior Nationals
1st 165lb class 1968 Junior Nationals
3rd 165lb class 1968 Senior Nationals
3rd 165lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
3rd 165lb class 1969 Senior Nationals
3rd 181lb class 1971 Senior Nationals
3rd 181lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
3rd 181lb class 1973 Senior Nationals
1st 181lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
Robert “Bobby” Hise III
9/1/1946-3/21/2023
Bobby is the son of Bob Hise II long time lifter and promotor of weightlifting in Tennessee and later California. Bobby grew up in a weightlifting family and was coached by his father. Bobby entered his first meet when he was 12 years old. In High School Bobby lettered in track and field, football and gymnastics. However, his sport was weightlifting. Bobby set State records, snatched an unofficial world record and became a national level competitor who competed for 25 years.
4th 165lb class 1966 Teenage Nationals
2nd 165lb class 1966 Junior Nationals
1st 181lb class 1967 Junior Nationals
3rd 181lb class 1967 Senior Nationals
2nd 181lb class 1968 Olympic Trials
2nd 198lb class 1970 Senior Nationals
3rd 198lb class 1971 Senior Nationals
6th 181lb class 1972 Senior Nationals
4th 198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals
8th 100kg class 1981 Senior Nationals
Author: By Strength Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sat Jan 18 14:43:38 UTC 2025 | Last Updated: Thu Feb 06 19:04:42 UTC 2025